Camp near Petersburg

Nov 29^th 1864

 

Laura, I have just rec^d your kind letter of 24^th. I waited so long, over two weeks & wondered what had happened. I am to sorry that you are not [line faded and obscured by paper fold and holes] ere this you are well. I am quite well to day indeed much more so than usual of late

 

The weather is so warm to day [?] like summer. I am almost roasting while I am writing to you. the South winds / blow and I think we will soon have rain. the weather is so changeable here. only last week the creeks and ponds were frozen over hard enough to bear a man, and now just as warm. I was out to pay Brother Silas a visit last Sunday he is well we had a good dinner and passed a pleasant [paper torn] together. I cant get his photo he has no negative at home and tis impossible to get good pictures here. I had another good long letter from B Landau last knight he is well I [paper hole] from home Amanda is quite well. Sister Elizabeth writes to me. I think she is not offended at anyone, only she must have a time to pout. I suppose she believes in Solomons writings that there is / a time for all things. I think she does not covet the feelings toward either of us, but I suppose she has an opinion that I do not pay due reverence to her and Ward, but I will not mind her. She is sorry and denies all.

 

Tell Joe & Sam that I compliment them on muskrat and opossum catching, and think that the skins would make good muffs for a Lady. I think they must present me with a supply to make a Military Cap. I thank you for the group I think it is splendid. I will take the best care of it I can but when I will bring it home I will not promise. I hope I may come some time during the winter but I cannot promise. I do not / you anything I cannot do. to a certainty I would love to come even now. no one knows so well as I how often I lay down and pass two and perhaps three long hours, thinking of home, my friends and Parents. I oftimes fancy in my dreams of seeing them sometimes sick and them enjoying all the luxuries of life

 

[sideways]

 

Laura dont forget to tell me how that little bright eyed Warren is getting along. I often thought of asking you and then I would forget it he was so little, and looked so pleasant and why does Joe not write a line or two. he could put it in with your letters. tell him so, and Sam too.

I suppose you had a nice time when on your visit to Danville Mr. Archer has returned to the Battery. his father was dangerously ill when he left home. we expect Capt R. on the 3^d Dec he has gone to Phila^d he is not well. I think he is consumpted.

 

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I had almost forgotten to tell you what a good dinner we rec^d on Thanksgiving day. we had cakes, pies, apples, chickens turkeys, and many other nice things O we had a merry time Frank Leslie and Harpers Weekly is full of our fun telling the people how grand how nice &c.

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